Archived Thread

NFT: Home Insurance Claims / Adjusters

eclipz928 : 8/29/2016 4:12 pm

So I had a large pine tree fall down in our yard. It hit the house, but fortunately it didn't go through the roof. But it did smash down on our deck and rip down some of the gutters.There's some significant repairs needed.

I just wanted to check with people here about any experiences that you've had dealing with insurance/adjusters/abitrators. I believe I have good coverage, but I don't want to go blindly into this and have the insurance company short change me on the covered repairs.

Any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Make sure your policy

Old Dirty Beckham : 8/29/2016 4:14 pm : link

covers replacement value as opposed to actual cash value.

Repairs should

Bubba : 8/29/2016 4:46 pm : link

be covered minus your deductible. They may not cover the
full cost to remove the tree however as there are limitations for that.

Get

Bubba : 8/29/2016 4:48 pm : link

repair estimates and photos ASAP so you can have an idea as to what your out of pocket costs will be.

RE: Make sure your policy

Jim in Fairfax : 8/29/2016 4:53 pm : link

In comment 13093039 Old Dirty Beckham said:

Quote:

covers replacement value as opposed to actual cash value.

Kinda late for that.

Was tree alive or dead?

Giant John : 8/29/2016 5:01 pm : link

If dead check your policy for coverage.

To offset what they may 'ding' you for and say isn't covered

FranknWeezer : 8/29/2016 5:32 pm : link

be thinking about other ways that tree striking your house could affect/could have affected other areas of your house. For instance, we had a pine tree within 3 feet of our house, with a deck built around it (installed by previous homeowner). Tree needed to come down, for lots of reasons, not the least of which was when it swayed, it pushed the deck into the side of the house. Grout on tile countertops in kitchen inside, directly on other side of wall being pressed against by the deck, was crumbling. I couldn't prove it was related, b/c we have very clay-ridden soil in our area, that makes foundations prone to shifting. But I pitched it to the adjuster that it 'could' be related, and he took that at face value and included enough money for me to get the countertops re-grouted after the tree was removed.

You didnt mention if the deck it attached to your house

Elite Mobster #32 : 8/29/2016 5:38 pm : link

If its attached its considered part of the dwelling and covered at a higher percentage. If it is not attached to your home it goes under other structures at a reduced percentage. If it was your tree you also receive a tree refund percentage, but you must check on that usually its capped at a range. In Homeowners you the benefit of replacing the damage to your roof with like supplies and similar quality. One of the stipulations is 80%

Insurance

Jim in Fairfax : 8/29/2016 7:35 pm : link

Sometimes you get two hands:

And sometimes you just get the finger:

be careful i wasn't an act of god

gtt350 : 8/29/2016 8:56 pm : link

Elite Mobster #32 : 8/29/2016 9:15 pm : link

you are insured up to 80% value then you should receive the best coverage no questions asked.

The vast

Bubba : 8/30/2016 6:40 am : link

majority of homeowners insurance policies in NJ already have replacement cost coverage. The tree alive or dead will not be an issue UNLESS you were told to remove it by the insurance carrier prior to it coming down. This is a very common type of loss and is very routine. I don't anticipate you having any problems.